Full Irish Draughts - info

[Amber1012]

Anyone who has or knows full Irish draughts....please tell me your experiences...temperaments/trainability/uses ect ect - mare/gelding ect

TIA

 

[LynH]

My mare is 18 but still very spooky, nervous and is impossible to clip, trim etc. She is herd leader but is not at all confident. It takes her a long time somewhere new to be able to hack alone and is always happier in company and behind. Very spooky in the wind or given any excuse really. People just assume they are big, slow and bombproof but a surprising number aren't. She feels lighter to ride than people expect. She was good to back and train as a youngster but backwards is her go to fear response. She's very trainable in that I can work around all her issues so to an outsider she looks very easy but she has to be carefully managed. I've found this isn't uncommon with other IDs. I do mainly dressage which she does well but she also has a huge jump in her.

 

[Oliver12]

My ID is now 12. Bought him as a four year old and it took a long time for him to mature which I understand is quite normal for an ID. He is more spooky than my TB especially when windy and pheasants are his worse enemy. Brilliant in traffic though.

He is excellent for the dentist and to clip. Was very slow in learning where all his legs were so it was no good just to grab a leg and expect him to hold it there. He had to learn to balance himself.

Surprisingly light and responsive to ride. Sensitive nature, trainable but will switch off with harsh training (not that we have). Exceedingly good temperament.

Used for hacking and dressage mainly. Enjoys hunting but can't understand all the rushing about so is usually at the back. Doesn't bat an eyelid if horses gallop past him.

 

[HorseGirl1]

I have a 4yr Full ID mare. Shes very quiet but can be a bit headstrong. broke her myself and is being brought on slowly. can be spooky . She jumps very well . Prefers to hack in company but does go by herself. Still is a bit difficult to mount :-/
Good with the farrier aswell ! Quick enough to learn new things. Although my TB's would be better temperament wise with work.
A friend of mine has a lot of ID's and mainly breeds them and jumps .

 

[flurryjuno]

Had a gelding for about 4/5 months. Spookiest/most unpredictable horse I ever met, eventually gave him back to owner as wasn't what I was after. I know other ones and they're the quietest horses, quite stubborn when they want but very nice laid back temperaments. Think mine was a once off, don't be put off

 

[AdorableAlice]

Had two purebreds. Superb horses, first one with me 3 to 29 yrs, safe, genuine and adored. Did have foot issues which resolved with a change of farrier in his early years. Forward going without being worrying.

Second one with me 6 months to 13 yrs. 18.1h and like having a large labrador around the yard. Sensitive soul and very linked up to me meaning I could not leave him at home if I went away. He had to go to a professional yard to stop him looking for me. Successful dressage and show horse with fabulous paces and the kindest horse.

i would give anything to have them both back.

 

[Amber1012]

Had two purebreds. Superb horses, first one with me 3 to 29 yrs, safe, genuine and adored. Did have foot issues which resolved with a change of farrier in his early years. Forward going without being worrying.

Second one with me 6 months to 13 yrs. 18.1h and like having a large labrador around the yard. Sensitive soul and very linked up to me meaning I could not leave him at home if I went away. He had to go to a professional yard to stop him looking for me. Successful dressage and show horse with fabulous paces and the kindest horse.

i would give anything to have them both back.

Aw! That's sweet I'm toying with the idea of a ID being my next horse so just wanted some persuasion

Thanks everyone

 

[Horseback Rider]

I had a 16.3 full up ID Mare for 18 months then she sadly died of colic. However I can truly say she was my horse of a lifetime. Great to ride really tried her best at everything and adored being in the show ring very safe out hunting etc. Great on the ground and got on well with other horses. I haven't felt that safe on a horse in a long time. I have friends who also have ID's and if funds allowed I would defo get another xx

 

[Goldenstar]

Fatty Mr GS's horse is an RID he's a the most fantastic horse he's more than a horse hes a person cheeky and lazy at home , very handsome , the calmest most sensible horse I think I have ever owned .
He's very much his own person and expects to treated as such he's an amazing hunter literally does the job for you he took out my groom last Saturday it was her first proper day he literally looked after her all day I swear he knew it was new to her , he often has a little buck to spark things up but while he thinks is good idea to keep Mr GS on his toes he never thought of it last Saturday.
He's one of my horse heros we would never part with him.

 

[irishdraft]

I have a purebred mare who i backed myself very easy, but shes very spooky hacking & very noise sensitive but shes a good hunter & jumps well & is generally easy to do. Also had two foals purebreds, not out of my mare, which I backed myself one was easy the other very nervous, sold one as a 5 year old & hes doing well showing at county level, the other I kept but he is very spooky and generally high anxiety at most things, hates being separated from others but is a good jumper. Never assume IDs are quiet placid horses.

 

[Kallibear]

Rebel is easy gentle and kind. And not very bright. He's a sensitive little flower stuck in a big clumsy body but tries very hard to be brave even when terrified. Not a bad or opinionated bone in his body. Not at all sharp to ride but light forwards and responsive with big bouncy paces. He is not stressy or anxious naturally but harsh handling upsets him greatly and makes him so.

They are NOT the overgrown cobs many think they are. They're often sensitive and can be insecure, they tend not to have the rhino thick skinned bulshy temperament many cobs can have. And they often have a very good attitude towards work.